Boa's escape a mystery but he's back

A Florida woman said she doesn't know how her 5-foot-long red-tailed boa constrictor managed to escape from her home for a few days of freedom.

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Linda Simmons, 52, of Sharpes, said Smokey the snake escaped last week from an aquarium with a wooden lid held down by books and a bowling ball, Florida Today reported Wednesday.

"We're just clueless ... I can't figure out how he got out. I'm just livid," Simmons said.

Brevard County Animal Services said the snake was found Monday in a neighbor's yard and taken to the North Brevard Animal Shelter where officials said Simmons could pick him up.

Officials said no citations were issued.

"They're not easy animals to keep. Some people might put them in an aquarium with plywood over it and a concrete block to hold it down. But they're pretty clever escape artists," said Capt. Bob Brown, a spokesman for animal services.